Quick Verdict
The i3-10105T offers adequate performance for basic tasks in a 35 W envelope, but its low clocks, DDR4-2666 limit, and PCIe 3.0 make it hard to recommend over modern low-power alternatives.
Overview
Launch
2021
Status
ActiveGeneration
10th Gen (Comet Lake)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i3-10105T is a 4-core, 8-thread low-power desktop processor utilizing the 14nm Comet Lake-R architecture with a 35 W TDP, designed for compact desktops and small-form-factor builds.
The Core i3-10105T reduces the base clock to 3.0 GHz and the TDP to 35 W compared to the standard 10100, while maintaining 4 cores, 8 threads, and UHD Graphics 630. It is compatible with both 400 and 500 series motherboards.
Specifications
Performance
Handles basic office tasks fine, but heavy spreadsheets or multitasking will feel slower than standard 65 W chips.
4 threads can manage one lightweight VM, but the low power limit restricts performance.
The low 3.0 GHz base clock and 3.9 GHz turbo severely limit gaming performance, even with a dedicated GPU.
Good efficiency for the 35 W power class, though the 14nm process is less efficient than modern 10nm alternatives.
- •The low clock speeds create a significant bottleneck in modern games
- •Only suitable for very old or lightweight 2D games
- •A dedicated GPU would be heavily CPU-limited by this processor
- •No AI acceleration capabilities
- •Insufficient performance for any practical AI workload
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Comet Lake-R
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i3-10105T is architecturally identical to the standard i3-10100, utilizing the Cypress Cove core derived from Skylake. The primary difference is binning and power delivery. Dies that can sustain stability at lower voltages and clocks are selected for the 'T' variant.
CPU Design
It features 4 physical cores with Hyper-Threading. The L2 cache is a modest 256 KB per core, with a 6 MB shared L3 cache. The lower 3.0 GHz base clock is a deliberate measure to keep the chip within its strict 35 W thermal envelope.
Memory Subsystem
Like the 10100, it is restricted to DDR4-2666 MT/s natively, which limits memory bandwidth in memory-sensitive applications.
PCIe & I/O
Provides 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0, which is adequate for office tasks and basic storage but limits high-speed NVMe drive performance.
Overclocking
The multiplier is locked. The configurable TDP down feature allows system builders to limit power further to 25 W if needed.
- 100 MHz higher base clock (3.0 GHz vs 2.9 GHz estimated)
- 100 MHz higher turbo boost (3.9 GHz vs 3.8 GHz estimated)
- Official support for 500-series motherboards out of the box
Key Highlights
- 35 W TDP enables very compact and quiet desktop designs
- Configurable down to 25 W for extreme thermal constraints
- Includes UHD Graphics 630 for basic display tasks
- Compatible with both 400 and 500 series motherboards
- 4 cores and 8 threads provide adequate basic multitasking
- Low 3.0 GHz base clock limits sustained performance
- High $134 launch price for a heavily downclocked chip
- Restricted to DDR4-2666 memory speeds
- Only PCIe 3.0 support
- 14nm process is outdated and less power-efficient than 10nm
History
The Core i3-10105T arrived in early 2021 as part of a minor refresh of the Comet Lake-R lineup. Intel's strategy with 'T' series processors has always been to serve the OEM market, specifically companies like HP, Dell, and Lenovo that build millions of compact SFF (Small Form Factor) and Micro desktop PCs for enterprise offices.<br><br>These machines often have highly restricted power supplies and tiny coolers that cannot dissipate 65 W.
The 10105T filled this niche perfectly, offering the 4-core/8-thread configuration required by modern Windows 10 management software within a strict 35 W limit. However, for the DIY market, the 10105T was largely ignored. Charging $134 for a processor that was significantly slower than the cheaper i3-10100 made no sense for consumers who had even a modest cooling solution.
It stands as a prime example of how Intel segmented its product stack to extract maximum margin from enterprise contracts while offering less value to individual buyers.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 100 MHz higher base clock (3.0 GHz vs 2.9 GHz estimated)
- 100 MHz higher turbo boost (3.9 GHz vs 3.8 GHz estimated)
- Official support for 500-series motherboards out of the box
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
The i3-10105T should only be considered if you are repairing an existing SFF (Small Form Factor) office PC that requires a 35 W processor to match the chassis cooling capabilities. Its $134 launch price was difficult to justify even in 2021, as the standard i3-10100 cost less while offering significantly higher clock speeds. If you are building a new low-power system today, you should look toward 12th or 13th-gen 'T' variants which offer dramatically better performance per watt on a newer architecture. Avoid this chip for any new build, especially since it lacks modern features like PCIe 4.0 or DDR5 support.
Avoid if…
- You are building a new PC (choose a 12th-gen T variant instead)
- You need any form of gaming performance
- Your chassis can handle a 65 W processor (buy the non-T variant)
- You want fast storage speeds (limited to PCIe 3.0)
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
Despite launching a year after the i3-10100, the 10105T received only a 100 MHz clock increase.
Its $134 launch price was exactly the same as the much faster i3-10100, making it a poor value proposition for consumers.
The configurable TDP down to 25 W makes it one of the few Intel desktop chips that could realistically run in a fanless chassis.
It uses the same 14nm process node as desktop Intel processors from 2015.
The 'R' in Comet Lake-R stands for 'Refresh', indicating it is a minor update to the original Comet Lake lineup.
Like other 10th-gen non-K parts, it artificially limits memory speed to DDR4-2666, a restriction lifted on 11th-gen B560 motherboards.
Its all-core turbo is 3.6 GHz, which is exactly the base clock of the standard i3-10100.
The 35 W TDP is 46% lower than the standard 65 W TDP, yet the price was not reduced proportionally.
It supports Intel SGX (Software Guard Extensions), a security feature aimed at enterprise applications.
The UHD Graphics 630 in this chip operates at reduced clock speeds compared to the 65 W variant to save power.
People Also Ask
What does the 'T' mean in Intel Core i3-10105T?
The 'T' suffix indicates a low-power desktop processor optimized for a 35 W thermal envelope.
Is the i3-10105T good for gaming?
No, its low clock speeds make it a poor choice for gaming, even with a dedicated GPU.
What is the difference between i3-10105T and i3-10100?
The 10105T has a 35 W TDP and a 3.0 GHz base clock, while the 10100 has a 65 W TDP and a 3.6 GHz base clock.
Can the i3-10105T run without a fan?
With its configurable 25 W TDP down setting, it is possible to run fanless with a large enough passive heatsink.
Does the i3-10105T come with a cooler?
It typically does not include a retail box cooler, as it is primarily sold to OEMs.
What is the max turbo boost?
3.9 GHz.
Can I use DDR4-3200 with the i3-10105T?
The CPU natively limits memory to 2666 MT/s, though a 500-series motherboard may allow you to run faster speeds.
Does it support PCIe 4.0?
No, it only supports PCIe 3.0.
What is the launch price?
$134.
What socket does it use?
LGA 1200.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base clock?
3.0 GHz.
How much L3 cache does it have?
6 MB.
What is the part number?
SRH3R.
Does it support ECC memory?
No.
What integrated graphics does it have?
UHD Graphics 630.
When was it released?
March 16th, 2021.
Can it be overclocked?
No.
What is the TJ Max?
100°C.
What is the configurable TDP down?
25 W.
Does it support AVX-512?
No.